Barry Baker

Loves journalism, is not a journalist. Loves politics, is not a politician. Loves the media, is not a medium. Barry is committed to helping the world become a more interesting place with Power of Opinion.

July 05, 2007

Senior Sechelt RCMP officers dropped the ball

The Sechelt Indian Band took a big step today towards diffusing the mess created by an inexperienced RCMP officer when he pepper-sprayed a crowd celebrating a youth soccer tournament championship earlier this week. Band Chief Stan Dixon accepted the RCMP's apology over the incident, but the force obviously needs to consider what it can do to better prepare its officers to maintain rather than disrupt the peace.

As you may recall, Constable Glen Martin sprayed the crowd after trying to arrest soccer coach Troy Mayers, who was driving a truck carrying a number of youths in the box. The vehicle was one of several participating in a traditional celebration of soccer in the community. The RCMP officer intervened because of a minor driving infraction, but the situation escalated when the pressing crowd apparently caused him to fear for his safety.

In previous years, RCMP officers have actually stopped traffic in the community so the celebration could pass unimpeded, but apparently that message wasn't conveyed to Constable Martin. While many initial reactions have focused on his handling of the situation, the responsibility more properly resides with his superiors, who apparently didn't think to bring him up to speed on the 20-year history of the celebration.

The relationship between the Sechelt band and local RCMP has been referred to as "edgy but respectful", a description which could easily apply in other BC communities. In Kamloops, we are lucky to have a progressive band that has developed a productive relationship with community stakeholders, including the T’Kumlups Rural RCMP Detachment. But as this incident in Sechelt demonstrates, good will developed can evaporate very quickly when a single individual in a position of authority makes a poor choice. Let's hope that the brass at local RCMP detachments elsewhere in BC take note and arm their members with the training and information necessary to succeed.

To share your thoughts with Right Up Your Alley: Kamloops readers, click on "Comments" (below).

Comments

Senior Sechelt RCMP officers dropped the ball

The Sechelt Indian Band took a big step today towards diffusing the mess created by an inexperienced RCMP officer when he pepper-sprayed a crowd celebrating a youth soccer tournament championship earlier this week. Band Chief Stan Dixon accepted the RCMP's apology over the incident, but the force obviously needs to consider what it can do to better prepare its officers to maintain rather than disrupt the peace.

As you may recall, Constable Glen Martin sprayed the crowd after trying to arrest soccer coach Troy Mayers, who was driving a truck carrying a number of youths in the box. The vehicle was one of several participating in a traditional celebration of soccer in the community. The RCMP officer intervened because of a minor driving infraction, but the situation escalated when the pressing crowd apparently caused him to fear for his safety.

In previous years, RCMP officers have actually stopped traffic in the community so the celebration could pass unimpeded, but apparently that message wasn't conveyed to Constable Martin. While many initial reactions have focused on his handling of the situation, the responsibility more properly resides with his superiors, who apparently didn't think to bring him up to speed on the 20-year history of the celebration.

The relationship between the Sechelt band and local RCMP has been referred to as "edgy but respectful", a description which could easily apply in other BC communities. In Kamloops, we are lucky to have a progressive band that has developed a productive relationship with community stakeholders, including the T’Kumlups Rural RCMP Detachment. But as this incident in Sechelt demonstrates, good will developed can evaporate very quickly when a single individual in a position of authority makes a poor choice. Let's hope that the brass at local RCMP detachments elsewhere in BC take note and arm their members with the training and information necessary to succeed.

To share your thoughts with Right Up Your Alley: Kamloops readers, click on "Comments" (below).